An Invention with a Single Function
In 1952, Marvin Minsky, an artificial intelligence pioneer, created a device at Bell Labs with an unusual purpose—it turned itself off. When switched on, a small lever or mechanical hand would emerge from the box, flip the switch back off, and then disappear inside.
Claude Shannon and Arthur C. Clarke’s Fascination
Minsky’s mentor, Claude Shannon, built his own versions and kept one on his desk. When science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke saw it, he described it as “unspeakably sinister,” fascinated by a machine designed to do nothing but deactivate itself.
A Commercial Success
By the 1960s, toy companies began selling similar devices. Captain Co. marketed “Monster Inside the Black Box,” featuring a mechanical hand flipping the switch. Poynter Products created the “Little Black Box”, later modifying it to snatch coins as a novelty bank.
Enduring Popularity
The useless machine continues to appear in pop culture, with DIY versions, microprocessor-controlled models, and even references in TV shows like Fargo. Though its purpose remains unchanged, it remains a curiosity that captivates those who encounter it.
In 1952, Marvin Minsky, an artificial intelligence pioneer, created a device at Bell Labs with an unusual purpose—it turned itself off. When switched on, a small lever or mechanical hand would emerge from the box, flip the switch back off, and then disappear inside.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/mAO8lweafH
— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) March 17, 2025